Texas broadcasters will get a front row view of what promises to be a white-knuckle 2009 legislative session at TAB’s Legislative Day Feb. 2 in Austin.

 

The thrills and spills so far include a new Speaker of the House of Representatives, a $9 billion tightening in the state’s two-year revenue outlook and political jockeying resulting from a pending fight for a U.S. Senate seat and the Governor’s office.

 

Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst will keynote the event.

 

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Texas TV stations’ analog soft shut-off tests and other DTV preparedness efforts have led to the redemption of nearly two million converter box coupons by Texans as of Jan. 6, according to the NTIA – the federal agency managing the program.

 

In the last eight weeks of 2008, Texas coupon orders increased by about 1.17 million and coupon redemptions increased by 484,000.

 

Nielsen Media Research estimates 1.7 million Texas households watch television exclusively over-the-air.

 

 

Legislation allowing some stations to continue broadcasting analog signals for 30 days after Feb. 17 was enacted last month after being signed by President George W. Bush.

 

“Nightlight” programming will be confined to channels 2-51 and can provide only DTV education (for viewers who did not prepare for the transition) and emergency information. Advertising will be prohibited.

 

Participation is voluntary, though the FCC is “strongly encouraging” eligible stations to participate.  On Dec. 24, the FCC published a list of stations deemed initially eligible to provide a “nightlight” service on its website. Additional stations may be identified.

 

The FCC wants each DMA to have at least one station providing a “nightlight” service. So far, they have not identified any eligible stations in the following DMAs: Abilene-Sweetwater, Austin, Laredo, Tyler-Longview-Lufkin-Nacogdoches, Waco-Temple-Bryan or Sherman-Ada.

 

TAB filed comments in the FCC’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking urging the commission to eliminate two impediments to the voluntary participation by TV stations in the program.

 

TAB urged the FCC to reduce the paperwork burden associated with a station’s decision to volunteer and stressed that stations be allowed to air sponsorships during the analog transmissions in order to offset costs.

 

Reply comments were due Jan. 8. The FCC has not yet acted the comments.

 

Exhibit booths for TAB’s 2009 Trade Show went on sale Jan. 5 to TAB non-members.

 

There are still exhibit booths available for TAB members and non-members. Better hurry, booths will sell out!

 

All booths are 8x10 and prices vary by membership level:

-Gold Patron Associate Member: $850

-SilverStar Associate Member: $900

-Associate Member: $950

-Non-Member: $1,525

 

Prices increase $100 after March 1.

 

The Trade Show is a one-day event set for Thursday, Aug. 20 at the Renaissance Austin Hotel.

 

Several sponsorship and advertising opportunities also are available.

 

Questions? Contact Sydney Haisler or call (512) 322-9944.

 

 

A FFOIA provides a privilege, either qualified or absolute, for the protection of journalists’ sources and strong protections for journalist work product.

 

Thirty-six states and the District of Columbia have such protection on the books.  At least three other states are also looking to pass a FFOIA this year – Kansas, Massachusetts and Wisconsin.

 

Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, and Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, are expected to file the FFOIA bill in the Texas Senate this month.

 

 

TAB has teamed up with LocalBroadcastSales.com to provide members with the most comprehensive on-demand sales resource anywhere on the web.

 

 TAB is subsidizing the program so stations only pay a nominal annual fee:

• $250/year (Aus, DFW, Hou, SA)

• $100/year (all other markets)

 

Nearly 200 stations have already signed up – what are you waiting for?

 

Every member of your staff could have simultaneous access to 150+ video training modules:

• John Tkac – Automotive Sales

• Stephen Warley – Web Sales

• Paul Weyland – Sales 101

• Ron Steiner – Television Sales

• Gary Moore – Selling By Personality Style

• David Topus – Sales Communications

• Dan O’Day – Radio commercial copywriting

• Andrea Eliscu – Healthcare sales

 

Evaluations will be added to the site in the next few months so subscribers will be able to test understanding of the concepts taught in each training session.

 

Worksheets, research, and other web resources also are available online.

 

 

Questions?Contact TAB at registration@tab.org or call us at (512) 322-9944.

 

Friday, Feb 27

Texas A&M Commerce - Mesquite Metroplex Center

10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

 

Booth cost: $250/members; $500/non-members

($50 discount if your station attended one of TAB’s 2008 expos!)

 

Looking for a great addition to your team?

Register today for a recruiting booth at TAB’s Broadcast Career Expo.

 

Each station sending someone with hiring capability to the event can receive one quarter point toward their EEO requirements.

Job seekers attend for free.

 

BUT HURRY, SPACE IS LIMITED!  Use this form to register now.

 

Questions? Contact TAB’s Teresa McAnally or call (512) 322-9944.